Q&A: Nov. 29

29/11/06 20:08

Question: I thought Justice had promise. Is it gone forever?Madeline Bereuter

Answer: On the contrary. Justice has been switched to Friday nights at 7 central, 8 eastern, beginning on Dec. 1. New episodes so far are scheduled for that night and for Dec. 8 and 15. I thought Justice was the strongest of Fox's new fall series, but this already will be its third different night. Expectations are low on Fridays, though, so maybe Justice finally will prevail.

Question: My husband and I enjoyed The Bernie Mac Show and thought it was a quality comedy. But we've finally decided it must have been canceled or Bernie Mac just decided he was done with it. What happened?Lisa Bellah

Answer:Bernie Mac got jacked around more than most Fox shows before being canceled at the end of last season. It premiered in November, 2001 on Wednesdays at 8 central, 9 eastern, winning a Peabody Award in its first season. Then, in its second year, Fox inexplicably moved it up an hour to compete directly against ABC's My Wife and Kids, starring Damon Wayans. At the time they were the only two comedies on the four major networks with black leads. Bernie Mac lost that ratings fight and eventually was shuttled all over Fox's schedule, winding up on Fridays.

There was upheaval behind the scenes as well, with the star and the show's original executive producer clashing and eventually parting ways. Regardless, Bernie Mac should have lasted at least two or three more years than it did.

Question: I'm just wondering about Traveler and The Black Donnellys. We see clips on the sites, but all they say is "Coming soon." They both look interesting at least.Maria Lowther

Answer: NBC's The Black Donnellys, created by Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis (Crash), originally was supposed to supplant ER in January, with the longrunning hospital drama then returning in the spring. But the Peacock changed plans when ER remained surprisingly strong in the ratings, particularly among advertiser-craved 18-to-49-year-olds. Now Donnellys is awaiting a spring berth, NBC said Wednesday in announcing a revised midseason schedule.

Traveler, an ABC drama about innocents on the run, could premiere as early as January. But ABC still isn't saying where or when. Likely slots: Mondays or Wednesdays at 9 central, 10 eastern in place of either What About Brian or The Nine, which recently was put on hiatus.

Question: What has happened to Rescue Me? I haven't been able to find it since September. Was it canceled?

Answer: Nope. FX has ordered a 13-episode fourth season of Rescue Me. Tentative return date is the "second quarter" (April-June) of 2007, the network says.